Editing General Theological Seminary (section)

==== 2020s ====
During the COVID-19 pandemic, like most other institutions of higher learning, GTS pivoted to virtual learning for the first time in its history. In 2021, the Board of Trustees authorized the seminary to launch a fully hybrid MDiv program, which welcomed its first cohort of students in 2022, and in 2023 replaced the residential program entirely.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General to begin hybrid programs Fall 2022 |url=https://www.gts.edu/seminary-news/hybridprograms |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=General Theological Seminary |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Jeffrey |date=2023-03-01 |title=Episcopal Church General Seminary on the Ropes |url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/03/01/general-seminary/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Juicy Ecumenism |language=en-US}}</ref>

At the same time, under the leadership of Acting Dean and President Michael W. DeLashmutt, the Seminary Board entered into a formal process, aimed at assessing the Seminary's long-term financial and operational model. In 2022, a formal affiliation agreement was made between General Theological Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary. While remaining separate institutions, the two seminaries now share a common leadership structure and support services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-09 |title=The General Theological Seminary Sets Out its Plans for the Future {{!}} Virginia Theological Seminary |url=https://vts.edu/press-release/the-general-theological-seminary-sets-out-its-plans-for-the-future/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> Although the affiliation was not characterized as a merger, 32 out of 40 members of the joint GTS/VTS board were from VTS, and the VTS president became the GTS president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petersen |first=Kirk |date=2022-12-07 |title=Partnership Ensures Survival of a Smaller GTS |url=https://livingchurch.org/news/partnership-ensures-survival-of-a-smaller-gts/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=The Living Church |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:The Close of The General Theological Seminary.jpg|thumb|left|The interior "Close" of The General Theological Seminary in the summer]]

On September 6, 2024, [[Vanderbilt University]] entered into a lease agreement to occupy the seminary campus pending approval from the government authorities. Vanderbilt made it clear that General Theological Seminary would continue to occupy some space on the Chelsea campus, but would remain a separate entity.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hitson |first=Hadley |date=September 26, 2024 |title=Vanderbilt takes over New York seminary for nationwide expansion |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2024/09/26/tennessee-vanderbilt-new-york-seminary-nationwide-expansion/75397323007/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> GTS had previously sought to lease the campus to a Catholic-affiliated music school, but dropped the plan following opposition from local bishops, who expressed concern about "the lack of full acceptance of the LGBTQ stance of [the school's] founders."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paulsen |first=David |date=2024-04-11 |title=Bishops oppose General Seminary’s long-term lease with choral music school over LGBTQ+ inclusion concerns |url=https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/04/11/bishops-oppose-general-seminarys-long-term-lease-with-choral-music-school-over-lgbtq-inclusion-concerns/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Episcopal News Service |language=en-US}}</ref>